Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss Rebels players reveal some key breakout candidates alongside Austin Simmons amid spring practice action
Lane Kiffin and his Ole Miss Rebels typically try to keep critical information close to the chest in spring most of the time, but there are always some tea leaves to read as more press conferences fill in the blanks each year.Who will be the next breakout stars? Who is standing out? In the Transfer […]
Lane Kiffin and his Ole Miss Rebels typically try to keep critical information close to the chest in spring most of the time, but there are always some tea leaves to read as more press conferences fill in the blanks each year.
Who will be the next breakout stars? Who is standing out? In the Transfer Portal area, revealing that kind of thing clearly can get players poached, but given Kiffin and some of his players' comments here recently, a handful of potential breakout candidates are emerging alongside (the obvious) new quarterback Austin Simmons.
Ole Miss Rebels stars standing out in spring practices
Ole Miss fans are already rightfully excited about their new quarterback Austin Simmons potentially breaking out in a big way this fall, and all signs point towards him being the most significant star-in-the-making in 2025.
Simmons was already impressive in limited action last year and has apparently been looking great this spring through the air and on the ground.
Lane Kiffin was asked about Simmons' mobility and play style this past week compared to Jaxson Dart, and he had this to say:
"A play broke down the other day and [Austin Simmons] had a long run in the scrimmage. He runs well. He's kind of a smooth runner. He's not going to run violent like Jaxson [Dart] who runs more like a running back in that way, with a strong lower base. He's just a different runner. But he does a good job. [There's] not like a lot of called running. Just smooth scrambles."
Almost no quarterback in college football runs as tough as Jaxson Dart did, so it's not surprising to hear that Simmons is a bit more "smooth" instead of physical. However, it is good to hear that he doesn't hesitate to add value with his legs when things do break down. That is critical in today's game at the quarterback position.
And given Jaxson Dart's comments on Austin Simmons' arm talent when I spoke to him at the NFL Combine, there certainly aren't any worries about his passing ability. Dart went as far as to say that "he hasn't seen anyone spin it quite like [Simmons]". That's some high praise from the most productive quarterback in Ole Miss history.
Beyond the obvious breakout star in Austin Simmons, some of his weapons are apparently making a good impression this spring as well. When asked about the players standing out most in spring practices and scrimmages Lane Kiffin mentioned the wide receiver group first:
"I think the wide receivers. So many new guys. Almost all of them are new but Cayden [Lee]. They've done a really good job. Low ego. Low maintenance guys. That's similar to what we've had here. We've had a really good run of having really good receivers…These guys have just come in and wanted to work and get better. So I think that group's done a really good job."
Harrison Wallace (transfer from Penn State) was perhaps the biggest wide receiver name that Ole Miss acquired this offseason via the Transfer Portal, and he was given an early opportunity to speak with the media given the trust he earned right away this spring. However, De'Zhaun Stribling has also been turning heads in multiple practices this spring as well. Both Wallace and Stribling bring with them four years of experience.
It's still early, but Wallace, Stribling, and returning breakout star Cayden Lee look to be the primary targets for Simmons this fall. Lee of course tallied nearly 900 yards last year, so expectations should be high. Plus, when I spoke to the extensive class of Ole Miss stars headed to the NFL this spring (at the Combine and the Senior Bowl) almost all of them mentioned Lee as one of the primary breakout stars for 2025.
On the defensive side of the ball there's going to be significant changeover from last year's roster. Coach Kiffin has mentioned the inexperience on the back end of the defense potentially being a significant point of emphasis to work on this offseason. However, one name that should help hold the defense together is Sage Ryan, a transfer from LSU:
"Well, Sage has played a lot. He's played a number of different spots. Savvy player. Very experienced on the back end, where we lack that. So, I think he's been a really good fit." – Lane Kiffin
Ryan also spoke to the media this past week, sounding confident, comfortable, and ready to lead. He'll need to be given how many young players and new faces will need to gel in the Ole Miss secondary.
As for the pass rush, the Rebels may not lead the nation in pressures and sacks like they did in 2024, but a couple of breakout players should help make the defensive front quite formidable once again.
Defensive lineman William Echoles was the most frequently mentioned name for "breakout stars" on defense when I spoke to his teammates headed to the NFL at the Combine and the Senior Bowl this spring. He's also been mentioned by insiders and teammates throughout this spring too. Kam Franklin (at edge) has been the surprisingly pumped up breakout candidate besides Echoles. In fact, Echoles himself hyped up Franklin as someone who has been "his guy" this spring.
Ole Miss is certainly going to need a long list of players to break out in new roles this season if the Rebels are going to get to 10 wins for the fourth time in five years this fall. The good news is that it's already looking like several standout players are up to the task for Lane Kiffin and Rebels fans.
We'll be back with more Ole Miss Rebels coverage here at A to Z Sports soon! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!
And if you want to see the full press conference from Lane Kiffin this past week just check out the video below where he shares some thoughts on Rebels spring practices.
